An unfortunate alligator affects the course of a holiday

The other evening, at a dinner party, I met a woman who just returned from Florida.  Her good friend is still there waiting for his car to be repaired.  They drove to Florida because this woman has fear of flying. As they were approaching their destination on a quiet two-land road, the driver was temporarily blinded by the brights of an approaching car and did not see an alligator that was crossing the road at the same time.  "It was like going over a big speed bump" she said, but the engine light came on and the car broke down a few miles after this encounter.  The Canadian insurance company was reluctant to fix the car.  After a week of back and forthing, and renting another car, the woman had to return to work.  Her friend drove her all the way home and then drove all the way back to Florida to pick up his "finally" repaired car.  I think this man deserves special recognition for kindness.  If I were goning design a medal, it would have to include the unfortuate alligator.

Helpful Ryerson students on a rainy day

A group of six older women decided to lunch together after a class at Open University.  They hurried through the halls, crowded with younger students to exit the building.  At the double doorway near the exit, a student on the other side opened the door to let the older women through first.  A few straglers in the group hurried toward the door.  The student kept the door open for them too as the other students piled up behind her, waiting patiently to enter the door.
They entered a popular restaurant near a university.  There were only a few open tables.  As they wandered from one to the other looking for a suitable spot, the largest table was taken by a group of male students.  When the women turned to take that particular table, the students gave it over with a smile and took another table. 

"It's my grey hair" one women said to me.  "People are nicer to you when you are older."

Just outside the restaurant, a young student dug into her bag looking for her transit card before she entered the subway.  Her change splattered on the rainy sidewalk.  Another young student paused and bent down to help pick up the change, passed it to her and then both went on their way.

I think that many students at Ryerson University practice kindness with others.  It could be part of the University culture, I hope.